Menlo Charity Horse Show Announces Peter Samuels as its 2014 “Artist of the Year”

The Menlo Charity Horse Show committee is pleased to announce the selection of “Ready When You Are” and internationally acclaimed photographer Peter Samuels as “Artist of the Year”. The Menlo Charity Horse Show will take place August 5 – 10, 2014 at the Menlo Circus Club in Atherton, CA. Each year the committee selects an artist and work that represents the spirit of competition that has made Menlo a grand equestrian tradition for 44 years.

“Ready When You Are is a touching piece that captures a moment of unspoken connection and contemplation between horse and rider before competition. Peter’s incredible talent and international notoriety were impressive to us,” said show spokeswoman Carissa Ashman. Betsy Glikbarg, the show’s founder added, “We are honored that Peter Samuels will be adding his name to the list of extremely talented and well-known artists, such as LeRoy Neiman, who have participated in our event.”

Peter has been a professional photographer for 20 years, but his entrée into equestrian work resulted from the inspiration of capturing his first dog Leica in 2009. Shortly after, he was commissioned for animals portraits in addition to his people, corporate and product work. In addition to upscale galleries, Restoration Hardware began featuring and selling out of many of his equestrian fine art photography. Samuels work has been featured in numerous publications including Dubai based Equestrio Magazine as well as its European publications. Peter commented, “Being part of the Menlo Charity Horse Show is thrilling and an honor, and even more so because I am the first photographer to be named artist of the year in the show’s iconic history.” Peter will sell some of his work at the show this summer at Vendor Row. Mugs, belts and accessories will also be sold with his “Ready When You Are” image.

Highlights of this summer’s show include a Friday night Gala and Live Auction, August 8th, where the photograph, with an estimated value of $4,800 will be auctioned to the highest bidde. All proceeds will benefit Vista Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired in Palo Alto which is dedicated to serving over 2,600 clients in the Bay Area through its programs promoting independent living and improving quality of life.

Official 2014 Menlo Charity Horse Show Ad

Announcing the Bentley Los Gatos & Bentley San Francisco Grand Prix

Olympian Show Jumper Peter Breakwell on Lucas over a 2013 Bentley Continental GTC V8 in Glacier (c) Dirk Gallian

The Menlo Charity Horse Show benefiting Vista Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired, is pleased to announce the Bentley Los Gatos & Bentley San Francisco Grand Prix will highlight its 43rd annual show, August 10 at 6 P.M. at the elegant Menlo Circus Club. Bentley Motors will have a major presence throughout the six-day event as they celebrate the launch of their aptly named luxury sedan, Flying Spur.

The Bentley Los Gatos and San Francisco Grand Prix will showcase premier equine athletes as they compete over obstacles as tall as 5 feet 6 inches. Recent competitors of the Grand Prix include 2008 Beijing Olympic Gold Medalist Will Simpson, Guy Thomas who competed in the 2004 Athens Olympic Games and Peter Breakwell who competed for New Zealand in the 2000 Olympics in Sydney.

Menlo Charity Horse Show founder and co-chair Betsy Glikbarg says, “The Menlo Charity Horse Show proudly welcomes Bentley San Francisco and Bentley Los Gatos. The Grand Prix is the highlight of our six-day competition and not-to-be missed. Our show was recently awarded the coveted United States Equestrian Federation Heritage Award, one of the highest equestrian honors in the country. We look forward to sharing the heritage of Bentley vehicles on display throughout the show.”

Michael Heywood, regional marketing manager of Bentley Motors, Inc., comments, “Bentley’s new Flying Spur is the ultimate luxury performance sedan. It is the perfect combination of power, comfort and refinement, much like the grandeur of the horses and competition at the Menlo Charity Horse Show.” Kendel Qvale of British Motors Car Distributors, Ltd. continues, “The Menlo Charity Horse Show has a distinguished and celebrated history here in the Bay Area both in equestrian and social circles. We are proud to support the Menlo Charity Horse Show and their commitment to helping Vista Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired serve over 2,500 people in need throughout the Bay Area.”

“We Can Do This” Menlo Charity Horse Show Selects it’s 2013 Artist of the Year!

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We Can Do This by Stacey Turcotte, oil on canvas (36×48)

The Menlo Charity Horse Show Committee is pleased to announce it has unanimously selected San Carlos resident Stacey Turcotte as “Artist of the Year” for its upcoming show, August 6-11, 2013 at the Menlo Circus Club. Each year the committee selects an artist and painting that represents the spirit of the competition that has made Menlo a grand equestrian attraction for over 43 years. “‘We Can Do This’ is a touching piece that captures a moment of unspoken connection between horse and rider before competition. The painting resonated right away with the committee and it was a clear winner,” said show spokeswoman Carissa Ashman.

Highlights of the show include a Sponsor Gala and Auction on Friday, August 9th, where the painting, with an estimated value of $5,000 will be auctioned to the highest bidder. All proceeds will benefit Vista Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired in Palo Alto which is dedicated to serving over 2,500 clients in the Bay Area through its programs promoting independent living and improving quality of life.

Though Stacey has been painting the last 10 years, she is relatively undiscovered. She decided to “give it a shot” and submit her oil on canvas, “We Can Do This” into the competition. Show co-chair and founder, Betsy Glikbarg of Atherton says, “We are honored that Stacey Turcotte will be adding her name to the list of extremely talented and well-known artists, such as LeRoy Neiman, who have participated in our event.”

Inspired by animals, Turcotte says she paints “in a loose approach with a solid foundation. My driving force is to bring the spirit of the subjects to life. Painting a horse and rider captures the delicate balance of precision and harmony.” For “We Can Do This,” Stacey photographed over 100 horses and riders. One photograph stood among the rest as “the one” resulting in the winning piece.

View our first press of 2013: http://inmenlo.com/2013/05/01/menlo-charity-horse-show-selects-we-can-do-this-as-painting-for-this-years-show/